do you speak in tongues

[~candice~]

Where is the scripture to validate that speaking in tongues is gibberish? Show me where it says in scripture to mumble phonemes until you think your speaking another language even though you cant be sure because you cant interpret it. Prove your belief by presenting scripture. Its not out of line to ask for proof your beliefs are based on the Bible because I dont remember reading anything like what is being claimed as speaking in tongues being written within its pages. Nor is it unreasonable to conclude that if it cant be proven by scripture as fact that its false. I just see no reason in babbling.

What do you think the tongue of angels is? Are you an expert linguist? Do you know all the languages to know that what you think is gibberish isn't in fact another language?

And as for your bolded assertion, I'd like you to prove I'm wearing a white t-shirt.

[Mark2005]

Not being a linguistic expert, it is very hard to tell the difference between some foreign language (I think there are more than 3,000) and gibberish. I honestly cannot tell, so I don't want to judge.

On one hand, some of these SOUND like they possibly could be real languages. On the other hand, if the person speaking it doesn't know what it is or what they are saying, how legit can it possibly be? What purpose could be served by uttering a series of sounds or words that you have no idea what you are saying (you might be cursing someone in Swahili...LOL)

Edited April 18, 2012 by Mark2005

[sPrevorb31]

do you speak in tongues?

I'm not sure how to interpret the phrase "speaking in tongues." Is it literally being bilingual, is it literally speaking in languages that nobody understands, or is it figuratively communicating in ways other than quoting scripture and common phrases to nonbelievers?

I like to interpret it as figurative - I guess I play it safe and not go literal because it is beyond my understanding. I believe that speaking in tongues is communicating to people, non-believing or other, at their level.

That means that if someone doesn't concern themselves with whether a God exists, they won't take it if you try to convince them that one does exist. To 'speak in tongues' to that person would be to be friends with them despite that fact, and don't address their beliefs (or rather, lack of) unless they do first. By doing this, you earn their trust, and they will eventually open up and address their (lack of) beliefs. Be it months or years from the time you meet them, they will open up eventually; but in order to earn their trust, you need to restrict yourself to the level they are at, and you stick with them for as long as they need you to. Communicating and helping the person is not about you reforming them, it's about being there for that person when they have questions and want to reform.

Another example is a Christian who seems to be off course. If they care about God at all, they know what they are doing wrong, and they know where they got off course. Our jobs as fellow believers, on their level, is to address the issue as friends (not parents or authorities, because we aren't) - to go privately, explain what you see, and then leave it up to the misguided sister/brother to either open up, or shut down. If they shut up, we can't shove them in a corner and tell them that what they're doing is wrong and they're gonna go to hell. That would not be acting on the level of a brother/sister, it would be acting on the level of a higher authority (which we generally are not), and dictator/controller. We need to accept that they are not ready to express and publicly acknowledge that they are on the wrong track, or that they are not as comfortable around us as we would like to think they are. Again, we need to accept them where they are at and restrict ourselves to their level for extended periods of time in order for them to trust us and open up.

Now that I've gotten completely off track and explained everything that didn't apply to the subject.... >_< That's how I interpret the phrase 'speaking in tongues'. Is that the way you are referring to it, or do you mean literally?

[goldust59]

Not being a linguistic expert, it is very hard to tell the difference between some foreign language (I think there are more than 3,000) and gibberish. I honestly cannot tell, so I don't want to judge.

On one hand, some of these SOUND like they possibly could be real languages. On the other hand, if the person speaking it doesn't know what it is or what they are saying, how legit can it possibly be? Would purpose could be served by uttering a series of sounds or words that you have no idea what you are saying (you might be cursing someone in Swahili...LOL)

I am no linguistics expert either, but I do know for a fact that there are languages coming out of my mouth that I do not understand when I speak in tongues. I do not feel I need to know what is being said when I am in private prayer or worship with my Creator, because He will understand it, even if I don't. I trust the Holy Spirit to speak or enable my spirit to speak, whichever is the case.

Those that do not speak with other tongues shouldn't be opposing those that do. I know from personal experience & so do many others that this is from God through His Spirit. Seek Him about it & you can see for yourself.

It is not good to speak against the work of the Holy Spirit.

[enoob57]

Not being a linguistic expert, it is very hard to tell the difference between some foreign language (I think there are more than 3,000) and gibberish. I honestly cannot tell, so I don't want to judge.

On one hand, some of these SOUND like they possibly could be real languages. On the other hand, if the person speaking it doesn't know what it is or what they are saying, how legit can it possibly be? Would purpose could be served by uttering a series of sounds or words that you have no idea what you are saying (you might be cursing someone in Swahili...LOL)

I am no linguistics expert either, but I do know for a fact that there are languages coming out of my mouth that I do not understand when I speak in tongues. I do not feel I need to know what is being said when I am in private prayer or worship with my Creator, because He will understand it, even if I don't. I trust the Holy Spirit to speak or enable my spirit to speak, whichever is the case.

Those that do not speak with other tongues shouldn't be opposing those that do. I know from personal experience & so do many others that this is from God through His Spirit. Seek Him about it & you can see for yourself.

It is not good to speak against the work of the Holy Spirit.

This is the very essence of why I am leary of this issue!

It is not good to speak against the work of the Holy Spirit.

When we are clearly commanded to examine everything as to what spirit it is of! This being accomplished by using Scripture to see if it agrees with what God has instructed!

1 John 4:1

4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world

NKJV

and because of the very subjective nature of tongues it is impossible in this to be obedient to the above instruction of God.... thus furthering my anxiety over this issue! You can't Biblically proof what your saying cause you don't know what your saying! Then to pull the "It is not good to speak against the work of the Holy Spirit" because you subjectively feel (emotionally it is of God) has no foundation of objectivity that I can see... Love, Steven

[Holy Joe]

Ive stated before, tongues is a message to you, to the individual and that message is – It takes using your faith to accomplish and manifest a task. And no matter what language one speaks, English, French, Spanish, what ever,

those who speak in tongues understand that same message. And in Acts they all understood the same thing and so do we all who speak. The message in tongues is it takes faith to do it. The message is to the individual, it is a lesson in using faith.

Tongues is least of the gifts yet most cant even muster enough faith to speak in tongues, let alone heal the sick of raise the dead.

Some use tongues almost like a religion and worship it as evidence one had Gods Holy Spirit saying you must speak in tongues to have Gods Spirit. But that isn’t evidence one has Gods Holy Spirit, it is evidence one used faith to manifest what wasn’t before. Everyone who has what Jesus had in him has Gods Holy Spirit. And those who do, these signs follow. God isn’t going to zap you with these gifts, you have to use your faith to accomplish.

Joe

I think you all are missing the point in tongues all together.

Joe

Which is????

[nebula]

Where is the scripture to validate that speaking in tongues is gibberish? Show me where it says in scripture to mumble phonemes until you think your speaking another language even though you cant be sure because you cant interpret it. Prove your belief by presenting scripture. Its not out of line to ask for proof your beliefs are based on the Bible because I dont remember reading anything like what is being claimed as speaking in tongues being written within its pages. Nor is it unreasonable to conclude that if it cant be proven by scripture as fact that its false. I just see no reason in babbling.

Where in Scripture are we given a description of how to conduct proper hermeneutics?

But anyway, I can see this debate won't go anywhere, so I won't bother trying to change your mind or defend myself. I am blessed by this gift, and it has benefited my walk with the Lord, and that's all that matters.

[nChrist]

The tongues spoken of in the Acts period were known languages of the time. What passes for tongues today is made up gibberish.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (KJV) 8 Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.

Acts 2:4-8 KJV And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

[Mark2005]

Where is the scripture to validate that speaking in tongues is gibberish? Show me where it says in scripture to mumble phonemes until you think your speaking another language even though you cant be sure because you cant interpret it. Prove your belief by presenting scripture. Its not out of line to ask for proof your beliefs are based on the Bible because I dont remember reading anything like what is being claimed as speaking in tongues being written within its pages. Nor is it unreasonable to conclude that if it cant be proven by scripture as fact that its false. I just see no reason in babbling.

Where in Scripture are we given a description of how to conduct proper hermeneutics?

But anyway, I can see this debate won't go anywhere, so I won't bother trying to change your mind or defend myself. I am blessed by this gift, and it has benefited my walk with the Lord, and that's all that matters.

Amen to that!!

[Holy Joe]

The tongues spoken of in the Acts period were known languages of the time. What passes for tongues today is made up gibberish.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (KJV) 8 Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.

Acts 2:4-8 KJV And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

It is only gibberish to those who do not understand what it is and what it is for. Those of the day thought it was gibberish and that these folk were drunk, they didn’t understand either due to ignorance. Try and understand instead of belittling what you do not understand about it. Seek and you will find but you have to seek if you are to find. Are you willing is the real issue here.

Joe